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Author Topic: Noob question about restoring vintage mechs  (Read 1495 times)

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Offline bcredbottle

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Noob question about restoring vintage mechs
« on: Fri, 03 April 2015, 08:32:04 »
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« Last Edit: Wed, 06 October 2021, 13:54:16 by bcredbottle »
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Offline heedpantsnow

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Re: Noob question about restoring vintage mechs
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 03 April 2015, 13:18:17 »
I would start by taking all the caps off (keep them in separate groups for the 3 boards). Put them in mesh bags and put in dishwasher. If still dirty take out of mesh bags and put in large container with denture cleaner. Wipe down the cases and vacuum out insides.

Not sure they will need lube. But that would get you 90% there with not much effort.
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Offline bcredbottle

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Re: Noob question about restoring vintage mechs
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 03 April 2015, 13:24:43 »
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« Last Edit: Wed, 06 October 2021, 13:54:44 by bcredbottle »
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Offline heedpantsnow

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Re: Noob question about restoring vintage mechs
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 03 April 2015, 13:47:05 »
Are you sure they need lube?  I was just trying to help you save money.

If you really want to have someone take care of it for you, look under Artisan Services for Melvang, Lastpilot, Thechemist, or Dorkvader. Maybe one of them will be willing to clean and lube them for you.
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Offline bcredbottle

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Re: Noob question about restoring vintage mechs
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 03 April 2015, 15:32:24 »
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« Last Edit: Wed, 06 October 2021, 13:54:27 by bcredbottle »
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Offline Findecanor

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Re: Noob question about restoring vintage mechs
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 03 April 2015, 18:13:21 »
Congratulations on the buy! The Apple Adjustable Keyboard is cool.

In my opinion, lubrication is often a bit overkill: for those who are truly enthusiasts. The feel of vintage Alps SKCM depends a lot on how the keyboard has been stored. It could be a bit gritty if it has been exposed to dust. The smaller keyboard has only rubber domes, but with sliders over them and those often do not need lubrication.

You will need an ADB-to-USB adapter to use them on a modern computer. There is the Belkin iMate, or when you hire a keyboard modder you could also take the opportunity to get an adapter made with Hasu's free adapter firmware.
« Last Edit: Fri, 03 April 2015, 18:15:19 by Findecanor »
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Offline rowdy

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Re: Noob question about restoring vintage mechs
« Reply #6 on: Sat, 04 April 2015, 04:48:27 »
Welcome to Geekhack!

Those are all ADB keyboards, so you'll need an ADB to USB converter to use them on a modern PC.

Cleaning keycaps is the easy bit - getting them off without breaking them could be tricky.  Get yourself a good wire keycap puller for starters.

Denture tablets work wonders - I've just cleaned a set of SSK keycaps and they turned out almost like new.

Some switches improve with age - vintage MX blacks for example are one of the nicest switches around.  You might find that you like the switches in these keyboards as they are.
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Offline bcredbottle

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Re: Noob question about restoring vintage mechs
« Reply #7 on: Sat, 04 April 2015, 08:24:28 »
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« Last Edit: Wed, 06 October 2021, 13:54:33 by bcredbottle »
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